Path of Exile 2’s Early Access phase has been underway since December 6, 2024, marking the arrival of this standalone sequel as a separate client with unique mechanics, physics, and combat systems. Looking ahead to 2026, the focus shifts to preparing for the 1.0 full release, with key updates across patches, classes, campaigns, and more. Before the full launch, we can expect PoE 2 0.5, 0.6, new leagues, classes and other additions.
Updated (January 28, 2026)
PoE 2 Roadmap & Schedule 2026
Path of Exile 2 launched the major The Last of the Druids update on December 12, 2025, which introduces the shapeshifting Druid class (wolf, bear, wyvern forms), a new Ascendancy, fresh league mechanics, and a challenging Pinnacle boss. A Free Weekend from December 12 to 15, 2025 offered temporary free access for players on the fence. What next PoE 2 season will come in 2026 and when will the full game become available?
PoE 2 0.5.0 Release Date (Predicted: Friday, April 10, 2026)
The Path of Exile 2 0.5.0 patch is poised to be a critical update, centered on the long-awaited endgame rework (postponed from 0.4.0). The current endgame faces criticism for unbalanced death penalties and difficulty-reward loops, which 0.5.0 aims to address by revamping the mapping system.
Regarding the release date of PoE 2 0.5, community speculation—backed by historical update patterns—points to Friday, April 10, 2026, rather than a broader mid-late April window. All major PoE 2 Early Access patches have launched on Fridays, and while both April 3 and April 10, 2026, are Fridays, April 10 is far more likely: it allows extra time to polish the critical endgame update, while April 3 is anticipated to be the date GGG officially announces the patch. This timeline aligns with historical update intervals. The PoE 2 EA patch timeline to date is as follows: Patch 0.1.0 (December 6, 2024), Patch 0.2.0 (April 4, 2025), Patch 0.3.0 (August 29, 2025), and Patch 0.4.0 (December 12, 2025). The average number of days between these updates is 124 days, and an April 10, 2026, release for 0.5.0 would be 119 days after Patch 0.4.0—closer to the average than an April 3 launch (which would be 112 days post-0.4.0). Additional factors supporting an April 10 launch include avoiding overlap with PoE 1’s 3.28 league (set to drop at the end of March 2026) to prevent rushing development. Further, the endgame overhaul—being a high-priority feature—requires thorough polishing, justifying the extra week beyond April 3.
Community predictions suggest PoE 2 0.5 league may also include new campaign content (Act 5), the Duelist class (tied to swords, a confirmed 1.0 priority), or additional Ascendancies. There is also talk of breaking tradition by launching the endgame rework mid-league instead of alongside a new league start, to focus on 1.0 preparation.
PoE 2 New Leagues & Seasonal Content Release Date 2026
Leagues have followed a roughly 3-5 month cycle, and the next PoE 2 league is expected to coincide with the 0.5.0 patch on Friday, April 10, 2026. However, to prioritize progress toward the 1.0 full release, the developer may break the tradition of simultaneous league and major patch launches—for example, launching the 0.5.0 endgame rework during an ongoing league rather than alongside a new league start.
2026 leagues will continue introducing unique mechanics: the 0.3 patch’s Abyssal mechanic was so popular it became core content, while the 0.4 temple-building mechanic received mixed reviews (criticized for poor endgame scaling). Community discussion suggests leagues may be scaled back in 2026 to focus on 1.0 preparation, though "more content is more content" remains the general sentiment among players.
Players also emphasize the need for GGG to avoid rushing league releases—as some perceive 0.4.0 was rushed to align with the 2025 holiday season—prioritizing quality over tight timelines. This focus on polish further supports the April 10 prediction for 0.5.0, as it allows adequate time for both endgame rework refinement and league preparation (if the two launch simultaneously).
PoE 2 0.6.0 Release Date (Predicted: August-September 2026)
The content of this patch is relatively flexible in community predictions. One view is that it will focus on adding new classes (such as Shadow or Marauder) and additional Ascendancy classes, along with possible adjustments to existing classes. Another prediction is that it may introduce the "Trial of the Ancestors" mechanic, which was previously delayed from the 0.3 patch and has not yet been released. Some players believe PoE 2 0.6 could be a small-scale update with only one key feature (either an easy-to-develop class or a completed campaign act) to avoid overloading the team and ensure progress toward the 1.0 release.
PoE 2 New Classes & Ascendancy Updates in 2026
Unreleased Classes to Be Launched: Currently, 8 classes are available in PoE 2, with 4 remaining: Duelist, Templar, Shadow, and Marauder. GGG has confirmed that 1.0 does not require all 12 classes, but swords (closely tied to the Duelist) are a priority for launch—making the Duelist highly likely to debut in 2026. Community opinions are split: some hope for all 4 remaining classes before 1.0 (especially the fan-favorite Templar), while others accept delays to post-1.0 updates to avoid rushed, placeholder Ascendancy designs.
Ascendancy Class Adjustments: GGG has noted that 1.0 may not include all 36 Ascendancies (3 per class). 2026 updates will continue filling gaps—following 0.4.0’s addition of the Druid and its Ascendancy. Predictions suggest new classes will launch with 2–3 Ascendancies, while some may rely on temporary stat buffs (to be replaced with unique mechanics post-1.0).
PoE 2 Campaign Content Updates 2026
The current campaign features 4 complete acts and a temporary Act 5. GGG has confirmed that 1.0 requires 6 full acts, so 2026 will focus on finalizing Acts 5 and 6. Community predictions vary: some expect both acts to launch in one patch (Act 6 is half the size of other acts), while others anticipate Act 5 in 0.5.0/0.6.0 and Act 6 in 1.0. The temporary Act 5 will be optimized into official content, and players have requested a campaign skip function (for repeat players)—though this remains unconfirmed.
PoE 2 1.0 Full Release Date (Predicted: December 2026)
Grinding Gear Games (GGG) has officially announced ExileCon 2026, the third installment of its major convention series (held only for landmark announcements). Following past ExileCons—where Path of Exile 2 was first revealed and Early Access details were unveiled—ExileCon 2026 is widely expected to confirm the game’s 1.0 full release. The convention will take place in New Zealand, with badge pickup on Friday, November 6, 2026, and main events on Saturday and Sunday. Attendees can expect live keynote announcements from Jonathan Rogers and Mark Roberts, deep dives into game mechanics, exclusive demos, meet-and-greets with streamers, live Path of Exile 1 and 2 races, and the return of the fan-favorite ExileCon card game.
ExileCon 2026’s announcement strongly indicates a December 2026 full release for PoE 2 1.0—marking the end of Early Access. Key reasons include:
GGG hosts ExileCon only for major announcements; a 2027 release would likely align with an ExileCon 2027.
December is a peak gaming period (more player time to engage), offsetting drawbacks like holiday-related development time constraints and crowded release windows.
GGG’s 1.0 requirements focus on 6 complete acts, a polished endgame, and most (not all) classes/Ascendancies—milestones targeted for late 2026.
While past community predictions ranged from April 2026 (0.5.0) to August 2026 (0.6.0) or even 2027, ExileCon 2026’s November timing suggests 1.0 will follow shortly after the convention. The game will likely launch with 10–11 classes (missing 1–2), some Ascendancy gaps, and a cohesive start-to-finish storyline (replacing the current interlude system). The reworked endgame (first tested in 0.5.0) will also be finalized for 1.0.
Key Changes at PoE 2 Full Release
Free-to-Play Transition
The biggest difference will be moving from Early Access (requires a $30 USD Supporter Pack) to permanent free-to-play. The $30 cost for Early Access is converted to PoE 2 currency for stash tabs, and stash tabs purchased in PoE 1 will carry over to PoE 2—honoring long-time players’ investments. GGG’s "Ethical Microtransactions" policy remains: real money only buys cosmetics (skins, skill effects) and stash tabs, with no pay-to-win elements.
Core Improvements
A complete 6-act campaign (replacing the temporary interlude system).
Polished endgame (reworked in 0.5.0, refined for 1.0).
Potential new endgame boss (e.g., Arbiter) and optimized asynchronous trade.
Stability improvements, including a more balanced trade league economy.